Hyundai Veloster a sell-out success

[csv8]

Hyundai Veloster a sell-out success
Joshua Dowling
March 28, 2012 - 11:40AM




Asymmetrical coupe a hit with buyers aged 17 to 70.

A car with a split personality has become the surprise hero of the Hyundai line-up.

The brand that built its reputation with budget-conscious buyers has sold out of its new premium sports coupe.

The Veloster - which has one door on the driver's side and two on the passenger's side - was part of Hyundai's plan to bring emotional appeal to its vehicles.

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But the $23,990 coupe has been too popular and some customers will have to wait up to three months to take delivery.

The Korean car maker has been caught short, selling out of its first allocation of vehicles.

The chief executive of Hyundai Australia, Mr Edward Lee, says: "We forecast to sell 150 Velosters per month, but after one month we have sold 411. We have less than one month's supply in dealer stock."

The company has put in an urgent call to its Korean headquarters to more than double the number of Velosters coming to Australia.

Mr Lee says he initially expected the Veloster to account for just 2.2 per cent of the company's annual sales in Australia - 2000 of the 90,000 cars it plans to sell this year. But it turns out that was too pessimistic.

"We could sell more than double," Mr Lee says, indicating he has ordered at least 4000 Velosters to arrive this year.

However, Hyundai Australia is unsure if its request will be granted. Hyundai factories around the world are constrained by capacity.

Last year the company declared it would not challenge Toyota, Volkswagen or General Motors for global sales leadership, instead focusing on building its brand image.

The Veloster was key to that plan but the move has temporarily backfired, with the car becoming too popular. Sales of sports coupes are fickle to fashion trends and tend to go out of vogue in half the time of regular cars.

"We always expected [the Veloster] to attract the young and the young at heart," says Hyundai Australia director of marketing Oliver Mann. "Anecdotally, we're getting people aged 17 to 70, but most buyers are under 25."

Meantime, Hyundai says it is well progressed with plans for the Veloster Turbo, due in Australia in July priced at about $35,000.

The turbo version is intended to build Hyundai's credibility with driving enthusiasts, however the company will also be restricted by how many performance models it is allocated by the factory.

Mr Lee says the turbo Veloster will account for one-third of the compact coupe's sales locally - but any turbo models would come at the expense of regular versions as the factory can only build a fixed number of Veloster body shells.
"We are doing our best to get more [Veloster coupes]," Mr Lee says.

[Polyal]

It looks dead set horrid on the road. Good luck to the metros.

[blueoval]

This has got to be good news for hyundai. Looking forward to seeing how the turbo version stacks up performance wise.

[Brazen]

I'm thinking the new Prius C will be a major success here too.

[Franco Cozzo]

$35,000 for the turbo version.

Ford better get their *** into gear with their Focus and Fiesta ST I think.

[Till_Lind]

Saw one on the road today, not a nice bum to look at.

[Nikked]

Seen one today, and they look wuite nice on the road, nice, tight and muscular...


Sorta looks like a modern CRX...

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Polyal

It looks dead set horrid on the road. Good luck to the metros.

Agreed, there's two near me and their just odd looking from most angles. 411 people have odd tastes....

[LeadFoot81]

This was always going to happen.

A very sporty looking, (somewhat) practical hatch with great standard features for very little coin. I reckin this (sort of) car is exactly what (most) people want right now.

And I think they look fantastic in person.

[naddis01]

I agree. I think it is probably one of the best looking hatches on the market currently. If I was in the market for a new hatch, this would be high on my list to test.

[Yellow_Festiva]

I'm thinking..... shame it doesn't have a blue oval badge..... wonder how many others are secretly thinking the same?.?.?.

Good luck to them, they are making money where many are not.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Brazen

I'm thinking the new Prius C will be a major success here too.

Hybrids are a big failure in Oz, and I can't see too many people paying an extra 10 g's from what is essentially a Yaris.

Originally Posted by Big Damo

$35,000 for the turbo version.

Ford better get their *** into gear with their Focus and Fiesta ST I think.

Why?

Focus and Fiesta will run rings around the Hundy in the way they drive. One reviewer has already said " if only Hyundai could get a Ford steering and suspension engineer to do the suspension tune, they might actually be worth buying".

[stevz]

It's a sad state of affairs for society when rubbish like this sells well.

[turbodewd]

Ive also driven past one of these. Looked weird and not attractive.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Hybrids are a big failure in Oz, and I can't see too many people paying an extra 10 g's from what is essentially a Yaris.


Why?

23990 for a Hybrid with touch screen and smart key entry. It will sell it socks off.

[Cookie-XR8]

Not a fan. To be honest most modern cars look like crap

[csv8]

As much as we love the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, it's the 2013 Turbo model that really gets our juices flowing (especially in matte gray, for the record). It takes that unique three-door (four-door?) configuration one step further with the addition of some more aggressive aero bits, a revised front end and new wheels; not to mention a potent 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four underhood, good for 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.

The Veloster Turbo goes on sale this summer, and while official pricing hasn't been released, the folks at Inside Line have apparently confirmed that the car will start at $21,500 – $22,280 when you factor in the $760 destination charge. That's $4,205 more than a base Veloster, but in addition to more power, we expect that some of the base car's optional features will be fitted as standard kit on the Turbo.

What's really interesting, however, is Inside Line's report that the Turbo model was never even part of the original Veloster product strategy here in the United States. No big deal, because we're still getting the forced-induction hatch regardless. But the real reason why this is important is it explains why the Turbo is being offered with a six-speed automatic (in addition to a six-speed manual) rather than the dual-clutch unit found in the base car. Guess that in-house dual-clutch unit can't handle the full 195 lb-ft of the Turbo.

We expect Hyundai to release official Veloster Turbo pricing closer to the car's on-sale date this summer. And if this $21,500 base MSRP stands true, then the affordable end of America's hot hatch pool just got a lot more interesting.
My comment : the turbo is only $4.205 extra in America, here ,its $12k???

[nstg8a]

That pic is the only angle they look half decent... and reallly look like a modern crx as nikked said earlier.

[Linkachu]

Very very odd car, my mate has one, i dont know if i love it or not.
At first i saw 2 doors then later noticed 1, so it has 2 on the passanger and 1 on drivers... Ok
Then i look inside and WOW for 28k it out does my mums brand new cruze pricing in at 35k

Sports shift with a twin clutch auto. Keyless start, leather, HID lights + lots more.


For such a very odd car, has a lot to deliver.

[fou_bleu]

Originally Posted by stevz

It's a sad state of affairs for society when rubbish like this sells well.

Define rubbish? I'm pretty sure A LOT of people would define whatever you drive as rubbish...

Anyway, great to hear the Veloster is a winner in the showrooms, it certainly would sway me from a Focus if I were in the market - tbh, the Focus is DOA in terms of value for me...

[EATHSV]

My wife was dead set keen for one, test drove it. Not bad but a bit gutless. Only restraint for us was only 4 seats. (have three kids)

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Focus and Fiesta will run rings around the Hundy in the way they drive. One reviewer has already said " if only Hyundai could get a Ford steering and suspension engineer to do the suspension tune, they might actually be worth buying".

And many forum members are already saying "If Ford could only get a marketing and product development team to generate the sales and growth that that silly Hundy brand is achieving... then they might actually be worth buying ...."

Hows that 'new' Kuga thinggo going??? I see the sticky post count has just left the teens

Haters will always do what they do best.....

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

And many forum members are already saying "If Ford could only get a marketing and product development team to generate the sales and growth that that silly Hundy brand is achieving... then they might actually be worth buying ...."

Hows that 'new' Kuga thinggo going??? I see the sticky post count has just left the teens

Haters will always do what they do best.....

Yep, and the average car buyer isn't going to care what some overpaided journo is saying...

They see the veloster as a funky, small and fun car to zip around the city in for a good price.

No wonder hyundai are growing!

But yeah, Haters gona hate, and they can't get over the badge...

[stevz]

Originally Posted by 4RD4TW

Define rubbish? I'm pretty sure A LOT of people would define whatever you drive as rubbish...

Is it even necessary to define it for you? Just look at the bloody thing, it looks like it belongs in the mardi gras parade!

[Fiesta_Man69]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

And many forum members are already saying "If Ford could only get a marketing and product development team to generate the sales and growth that that silly Hundy brand is achieving... then they might actually be worth buying ....".

Exactly. It's also interesting that it will take Hyundai only a year to bring out the turbo version. The current shape Fez was launched in 09 and Aus is getting the turbo model when??

[kinksta]

Originally Posted by stevz

Is it even necessary to define it for you? Just look at the bloody thing, it looks like it belongs in the mardi gras parade!

And how popular are mardi gras parades?


This car really is awesome, I went and sat in one and jeez the equipment rivals my G6ET, can't wait for the turbo version to arrive. But we all know now that that will sell out just as quick!

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by stevz

Is it even necessary to define it for you? Just look at the bloody thing, it looks like it belongs in the mardi gras parade!

In your opinion.

[Fiesta_Man69]

Seen a couple on the road - they look awesome, very different - the antithesis to a Camry - the turbo will be excellent value and no doubt a direct injection 2L with 120kW will be in the base model before too long.

[turbodewd]

This article is a beatup. The resale on these will be poor and the appeal will be brief.

Give it 6-9 mths and sales will plummet.

[BadMax]

Interesting to see the typical human element raise it's head when they become threatened.

Hyundai is not the little company so many parochial Aussies assume they are. There is no doubt that they have moved ahead in massive leaps in terms of range, build quality and style in the last ten year in comparison to Ford or Holden for that matter. Corolla knocking off Commodore for top spot and Mazda 3 in the chase is a sign that big sixes aren't here to stay and smaller, efficient cars with all the fruit are slowly taking over.
If you want to assume the worst, you'll be left behind. If I get the chance to buy wifey a new car next year, I'll certainly look at the turbo version, along with MPS 3, Golf GTi. The requirements and small to mid size, has a bit of poke but must handle well....What does Fraud offer under 40k?